Press Release-Vaccine-Associated Feline Fibrosarcoma Task Force

March 29, 2000

The Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force (VAFSTF) met on March 19, 2000 at the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) headquarters in Denver Colorado and awarded grants to research proposals scored by independent reviewers. The Task Force was pleased to see that several study proposals built on the findings of previous VAFSTF studies. Novartis Animal Health, with a gift of $25,000, and Schering-Plough Animal Health and Intervet, Inc., each with a gift of $10,000, have kicked off the 1999-2000 funding and additional funds have been pledged.

The Task Force will produce and distribute a white paper summarizing VAFSTF study findings and their possible implications for clinical practice and as direction for future studies. While the year 2000 marks the sunset of this three-year project, Task Force members feel strongly that its work should continue in some manner. Representatives will consult with their sponsoring organizations to determine how the Task Force might be restructured.

The VAFSTF is an alliance of four national veterinary organizations (AAFP, AAHA, AVMA, and VCS) along with representatives from academia, industry, and USDA-APHIS. For continued updating on the activities of the VAFSTF,monitor the task force's web site at http://www.avma.org/vafstf.


Dr. James R. Richards
Director, Cornell Feline Health Center
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Ithaca, New York 14853
Phone (607) 253-3414
FAX (607) 253-3419